New York (AP) - A New York City judge says he wants to see documents that passed between a law firm and a panel CBS hired to investigate a Dan Rather story on President Bush.

Judicial Hearing Officer Ira Gammerman told attorney David Versfelt on Wednesday to let him examine the papers so he can decide whether Rather's lawyers may see them.

Versfelt's law firm was hired to advise the panel. Versfelt says the papers are protected by attorney-client privilege.

CBS hired the panel to investigate a disputed 2004 "60 Minutes II" story about Bush's military service. Rather says he was removed from the evening news anchor chair and given little to do after the story. He is suing CBS for $70 million.

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)